U.S. Defense Chief Mans Hot Line to Cairo

Chuck Hagel's relationship with Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has become key conduit for U.S. communication with Egypt.

By

Adam Entous

Updated July 11, 2013 8:24 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON—Since Egypt's military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi last week, the job of trying to coax the Egyptian military to restore order and democracy in ways that satisfy Washington's standards has largely fallen to newly minted Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

A senior Obama administration official called the relationship between Mr. Hagel and Egyptian military leader Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi—forged over lunch just two months...